Corn-sheller



- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. J. BRINKERHOFF.

Corn Sheller.

No. 42,271. ""Patentd'T'Apri[12;1864;

JACOB BRINKERHOFF, OF AUBURN, NEW YORK.

CORN-SHELLER.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 412,2'7l, dated April 12, 1864. v

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, J noon BRINKERHOFF, of Auburn, in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gornshellers; and I hereby declare that the following is a true and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The object of my invention is to construct a corn-shelling machine by the use of certain simple devices,arran god in the manner hereinafter described.

Figure 1 in the annexed drawings represents a side elevation of my machine. Fig. 2 represents an end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 represents a vertical section taken near the center. Fig. 4. represents a side elevation, and Fig. 5 a plan view, of the regulators.

The letter A designates the body of the machine, made of strong frame-work.

B represents the driving cog-wheel, which plays on a spindle fastened to the side of A. Around the eye of wheel B there is a square projection, on which the'crank is fitted that operates the machine.

0 represents a pinion into which the wheel B is geared. The pinion O is fitted on the neck of cylinder E, the neck being made to pass through the side of A. Between the pinion 0 and the side of A is the pulley D, the office of which is hereinafter described.

E represents a cylinder extending the Whole width of the frame A, and having at each end an extension or neck which the two opposite sides of frame A. On one of these necks is fastened the pinion O, as above described, and on the other the bail ance-wheel F. The cylinder E is furnished with six or more rows of metal teeth or knobs, the rows running lengthwise of the cylinder. These teeth are placed half an inch (more or less) apart, and are not arranged in lines parallel with the axis of the cylinder E, but have a slight inclination downward from the bal ance-wheel end of the cylinder to the opposite end.

H represents the two regulators,whieh are placed a little above the center of cylinder E and parallel with its side. The regulators H play horizontally in openingsmade to receive passes throughthem between L and K, and have shoulders or flanges at top and bottom to prevent their passing entirely through the openings above mentioned. By the pressure of regulators H the ears of corn are brought in contact with the teeth on cylinder E. This pressure is occasioned by the spiral springs a, of which there are two to each regulator, occupying a horizontal position, one end pressing against the regulators H and the other end against the interior of frameA. The springs 01. are similar to an hour-glass in form, tapering from each end to their centers. The advantage gained by this particular form is that if the pressure should be greater on one side of the spring than on the other it will still retain its strength and elasticity.

0 represents a narrow elevation. of K,running immediately in front of the lower edge of regulator H, and constituting a bed-piece for the ears of corn when subjected to the action of cylinder E.

m represents a shaft running below cylinder E and parallel with it. On the end of shaft m which extends outside of frame A is the pulley D, receiving its motion from the pulley on the neck of cylinder E by means of a belt. Attached to shaft m are four wings or fans, S, their office being to expel the chaff and dust from the corn as it falls from the cylinder E to the platform P below. The platform P has a moderate slope, so as to carry off the corn to an opening in the side of frame A, where it is discharged.

It will be observed that the regulator H nearest the gearing is made tapering at the end which is opposite to the center of cylinder E. The object of this is to allow the ears of corn to pass it without obstruction in case the other regulator should be pressed farthest back when the machine is in operation. It will also be noticed the springs to are made smaller in the middle than at the ends, that in case the regulators H should be pressed more at one end than at the other the springs will not lose their force on account of the side pressure.

In operating my machine the ears of corn will be put between the cylinder and regulator at the end nearest the balance-wheel, and by the time it reaches the opposite end the grains will be completely separated from the 00b and carried 011' on the platform below, and the cob discharged through a hole in the side of frame A.

I do not claim the several devices herein named, per se, for I am aware that these have been used before; but

What I do claim as my improvement, and for which I desire Letters Patent of the United States, is-- The cylinder E, the ties L and K, the regulators H, the bed-piece 0, the spiral springs a, the fans S, and the platform P, the whole constructed combined, and arranged in the manner and for the purpose substantially as herein set forth.

- J AOOB BRINKERHOFF, Witnesses:

HORACE '1. 000K, J OI'IN I. BRINKERHOFF. 

